Prospective randomized comparison between cold and warm ischemia in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare between the effects of cold and warm ischemia on the risk of deterioration of renal insufficiency in patients with T1 renal tumor managed by partial nephrectomy. METHODS: This prospective randomized study was performed on 120 patients with chronic kidney disease, all having T1 renal tumors. Renal function was estimated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: in group A, warm ischemia was used, and in group B, cold ischemia was used. All patients were treated by open partial nephrectomy. Patients were followed up for 2 years. The primary outcome of the study was eGFR at 2 years. Secondary outcomes were tumor recurrence, loss of follow-up, or patient death. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 60.7 ± 5.3 years. Associated chronic disease (diabetes and/or hypertension) was present in 93 patients. Worsening of renal insufficiency occurred within 1 month of surgery in 38 patients (27 in group A and 11 in group B). At 3 months follow-up, 21 of these 38 patients returned to their baseline eGFR. Warm ischemia rendered patients more prone to a decrease in eGFR after partial nephrectomy, with relative risk of 1.34 and 2 times at 3 months and 2 years of follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: Warm ischemia increases the risk of deterioration of renal functions in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing open partial nephrectomy for renal tumors.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery monotherapy versus shock wave lithotripsy for stones 10 to 20 mm in preschool children: a prospective, randomized study.

PURPOSE: We compared the outcome of retrograde intrarenal surgery monotherapy vs shock wave lithotripsy for stones 10 to 20 mm in preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 60 children with a mean ± SD age of 2.4 ± 1.3 years. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 underwent shock wave lithotripsy and group 2 underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery as monotherapy. Retrograde intrarenal surgery was started using a 7.5Fr semirigid ureteroscope (Storz®) and the holmium laser, and completed by the Flex X™2 flexible ureterorenoscope. A ureteral access sheath was not used and only hydrodilatation was performed. Patients were evaluated preoperatively by ultrasound and plain abdominopelvic x-ray. Followup was 3 months. RESULTS: The stone-free rate after a single session treatment was 70% and 86.6% in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean operative time was 27.9 ± 3.5 and 40 ± 7.8 minutes, mean fluoroscopy exposure time was 60 ± 42 and 50 ± 35 seconds, and mean hospital stay was 6 ± 2 and 12 ± 8 hours, respectively. No major complication occurred in either group and no child in either group received blood transfusion. Nine group 1 patients needed a second shock wave lithotripsy session, of whom 2 required a third session. At 3 months the overall stone-free rate was 93.3% and 96.6% in groups 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde intrarenal surgery is an option for treating medium sized renal stones in preschool children with results comparable to those of shock wave lithotripsy and a safe short-term outcome.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the management of stones in anomalous kidneys in children.

PURPOSE: We report percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the management of stones in anomalous kidneys in children. MATERIALS & METHODS: We performed PCNL on 6 children (one with bilateral stones), 3 boys and 3 girls with anomalous kidneys. Three had horseshoe kidneys, 2 malrotated kidneys, and one crossed fused ectopic kidney. Their age ranged from 5 to 12 years with a mean of 7.3 ± 3 years. Two patients had previous failed ESWL, 4 underwent PCNL for large stone burden. Mean stone burden was 324.9 ± 191.8 mm(2). Under fluoroscopic guidance we performed serial dilatation using Alken metal dilators. In 4 patients 17 Fr rigid nephroscope was used, in 2 patients 26 Fr nephroscope was utilized. Pneumatic lithotripsy was used for stone disintegration and forceps for stone extraction. RESULTS: A single stage PCNL resulted in complete stone clearance in 5 children, while one required a second look procedure. Operative time ranged from 25 to 70 min with a mean of 43.3 ± 17.8 min. None of the patients required blood transfusion. Perforation of the renal pelvis occurred in one patient and was managed by prolonged insertion of nephrostomy tube. Hospital stay ranged from 1 to 6 days with a mean of 3 ± 2 days. Postoperative fever occurred in one child and persisted for 3 days. All children were followed for 3 months and were stone free. Patient with bilateral stones performed ESWL on the contra lateral side. CONCLUSION: Children with stones in anomalous kidneys can be managed safely with PCNL when they are properly selected.

Penile advancement and lengthening for the management of post-circumcision traumatic short penis in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To report on the safety of combing suprapubic fat liposuction, penile suspensory ligament severing, and Z-plasty of penoscrotal webbing for penile lengthening in cases of post-circumcision traumatic short penis in adolescents. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in 9 male patients with a mean age of 15.6 ± 1.4 years. All patients had a short penis because of traumatic amputation of the glans in 7 patients and both glanular and partial distal corporal loss in 2 patients during circumcision. All were initially treated in childhood by penile skin advancement for phallic coverage. Penile length and circumference were measured pre- and post-operatively, both in the flaccid state at maximal stretch and in the erect state. Operative technique included Z-plasty of penoscrotal web, release of suspensory ligament, and suprapubic fat liposuction. RESULTS: Average functional penile length measured 3 months post-operatively had significantly increased by 18-30 mm (mean: 23 ± 4 mm) in the provoked, erect state. All patients had normally developed penile corpora cavernosa and wide circumference (mean: 11.7 ± 0.2 cm). No post-operative complications occurred in any of the patients. No patients had sexual partners or were sexually active. CONCLUSIONS: The described technique of penile advancement and lengthening can be safely applied to patients with post-circumcision traumatic short penis.

Corporeal body grafting using buccal mucosa for posterior hypospadias with severe curvature.

PURPOSE: Severe penile curvature correction by corporeal body grafting has been successfully performed using various grafts and biomaterials. We present our initial experience with buccal mucosa as a free corporeal graft to correct severe penile curvature as part of a multistage approach to posterior hypospadias repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 12 children with a mean age of 6.2 years (range 4 to 8) with posterior hypospadias and severe ventral chordee (greater than 45 degrees) necessitating ventral grafting underwent correction using buccal mucosa. Preoperative androgen supplement was given when penile and glanular size was significantly small for age. Buccal mucosa was harvested from the inner side of the cheek or the lower lip. The harvested graft was defatted, fashioned and fixed to the ventral corporeal defect. The pre-grafting penile angle, immediate post-grafting angle and penile angle at 6 months were assessed. RESULTS: All children had penoscrotal or perineal hypospadias, 4 had partial androgen insensitivity syndrome and 1 underwent multiple previous failed repairs. Androgen was given preoperatively in 3 children. After chordee release and urethral plate transection the penile angle was between 45 and 80 degrees. Mean graft length and width was 2.5 and 1.6 cm, respectively. All children had a straight penis at the end of the procedure and none required additive dorsal plication. At the last followup at 12 months all children had a straight penis except 2 with mild curvature (less than 10 degrees). No complications were noted with this technique. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results of the novel use of buccal mucosa as a corporeal graft for severe chordee appear satisfactory. Longer term followup is needed to further document these data.

Radiolucent renal stones in children: combined use of shock wave lithotripsy and dissolution therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a noninvasive efficient modality for the treatment of radiolucent renal stones in children. Uric acid calculi comprise a significant proportion of urinary stones. METHODS: This study included 24 children (10 girls and 14 boys) with radiolucent renal stones. Of the 24 patients, 5 presented with bilateral renal stones, 8 with multiple stones, 4 with staghorn stones, and 7 with a solitary renal stone. Their age range was 2-12 years (mean 6.3 +/- 2.8). The stone size range was 12-65 mm in the largest diameter. All patients were treated with combined extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and medical therapy in the form of urinary alkalization using potassium sodium hydrogen citrate and allopurinol for the treatment of hyperuricosuria. Before ESWL, 3 patients had a percutaneous nephrostomy tube inserted and 2 patients had a ureteral stent placed to relieve obstruction. ESWL was performed with a Siemens Lithostar using either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. The follow-up period after stone clearance was 12-36 months (mean 26 +/- 7.2). RESULTS: The stone-free rate of 100% was achieved in all 24 patients after 3 months of combined use of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and dissolution therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Combined ESWL and dissolution therapy accelerated stone clearance and delayed stone recurrence. The use of ESWL and medical therapy as a combined modality is a safe and effective treatment of radiolucent renal stones in children.

The multistage use of buccal mucosa grafts for complex hypospadias: histological changes.

PURPOSE: We report our experience using buccal mucosa in the multistage repair of complex hypospadias, and the observed histological changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 31 patients (14 adults and 17 children). A total of 19 patients presented after failed hypospadias repair with deficient ventral skin, 5 presented with scrotal hypospadias and 7 presented with perineal hypospadias. Patients who had previously undergone hypospadias repair had 3 to 7 failed trials. Two stage buccal mucosa graft was performed using the Bracka technique. In the first stage residual fibrosis was released, the glans was split and the buccal mucosa graft was sutured to the ventral surface of the penis to form a future urethral plate. Second stage reconstruction was performed after 6 months with interposed scrotal dartos tissue. Buccal mucosa was histologically studied before grafting, and at 6 months after graft uptake and exposure to the air. RESULTS: Buccal mucosa free graft showed excellent uptake within 5 days in all cases. At 6 months the buccal mucosa was well vascularized and pliable. Minute fistulas occurred in 3 cases (9.7%), which were closed at a later stage. Histological analysis of buccal mucosa tissues before and after graft and prolonged exposure to the air (more than 6 months) was conducted. The buccal mucosa displayed epithelial hyperplasia with mild and focal keratinization. The lamina propria was slightly edematous and minimally infiltrated by mononuclear inflammatory cells. The lamina propria papillae were elongated, extending to 75% of the mucosal thickness compared to the normal buccal mucosa. The buccal mucosal graft displayed good vascularization, similar to that of the normal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Multistage repair using buccal mucosa is an excellent option for urethral reconstruction. It guarantees excellent graft uptake and good vasculature, which improves success. It also provides supple tissue for glanular and urethral reconstruction in cases of severe complex hypospadias.